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Wu, Tsui-ping Cindy. "English proficiency in Hong Kong." View the Table of Contents & Abstract, 2005. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record/B3136505X.
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Jorgensen, Mark R. "Teaching the limited English proficiency student." Online version, 1999. http://www.uwstout.edu/lib/thesis/1999/1999jorgensenm.pdf.
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Nelson, Elaine Michelle. "Teachers' Perceptions on English Language Arts Proficiency of English Learners." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/3253.
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English learners (ELs) at a middle school in California were not meeting federal accountability requirements in English language arts (ELA). ELs lacking proficiency in ELA often drop out of high school and live in poverty as adults. The purpose of the study was to examine teachers' perceptions of their self-efficacy to implement effective pedagogical strategies to help ELs develop ELA proficiency. A case study design was used to investigate the problem through the lens of second language acquisition theory. The purposeful sample included 11 middle school language arts teachers. Participants completed an online anonymous survey, and responses were analyzed using open coding and analytical coding. The following 3 themes emerged from the data: teachers varied in their perceptions of their efficacy to support ELs, teachers perceived their teacher preparation and professional development experiences to be inadequate in preparing them to support ELs, and teachers blamed students and parents for the lack of proficiency in ELA. A professional development project was designed to address the findings and to help build teachers' pedagogical skills and self-efficacy in instructing ELs. Positive social change may be promoted by increasing teachers' ability to effectively instruct ELs, which will increase their efficacy with this population. ELs will benefit by possessing the reading, writing, and communication skills necessary for high school and postsecondary success and to be competitive in the workforce.
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Tavizón, Jessica Maribel. "The Spanish Language Proficiency of Sequential Bilingual Children and the Spanish-English Language Proficiency Scale." BYU ScholarsArchive, 2014. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/4222.
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The challenge facing children learning language bilingually has led to efforts to improve the assessment and treatment of language learning difficulties. One of these efforts is the development and validation of the Spanish-English Language Proficiency Scale (SELPS). Previous research has been performed to validate the scale for English language proficiency but not for Spanish language proficiency. Twenty-four sequential bilingual children produced spontaneous narrative language samples that were rated using the SELPS and coded for language sample variables using the Systemic Analysis of Language Transcripts software. Several language sample variables, most notably the Subordination Index, the number of omitted bound morphemes, and the number of code-switched words, were correlated with the SELPS subscale scores and total score. Findings have implications for screening the Spanish language proficiency of Spanish-English bilingual children who are between four and eight years of age.
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Marcum, Jared. "Language Proficiency and Cultural Intelligence in Distance English-Language Learning." DigitalCommons@USU, 2017. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/6691.
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The purpose of this study is to explore the viability of an international distance English-language program in the development of language and cultural proficiency. Students participated in tests at the beginning and at the end of the course to determine how well they developed both language and cultural proficiencies. The measures included (a) the computer-administered Oral Proficiency Interview (OPIc) from theAmerican Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), (b) ACTFL-aligned assessments of reading, listening, grammar, and vocabulary skills, and (c) the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS). In addition, course activities surveys provided additional information about student perceptions of course activities. Participants in this study came from various countries as they prepared to attend a U.S. university in Hawaii.The distance learning program fostered language proficiency through various learning activities, with an emphasis on synchronous dialogue over video chat technologies. In addition to English-language proficiency, the program sought to help students learn to effectively communicate with students from other cultures. Cross-cultural proficiency was fostered through cross-cultural dialogue with tutors, teachers, and other students. Students showed improvement in speaking, listening, vocabulary, and grammar. However, on average, students did not show an improvement in reading proficiency. Students reported that dialogue with tutors and teachers was among the most helpful activities in learning English. Students showed some improvement in cultural proficiency. However, this improvement was not universal across all measures of cultural proficiency. Students reported that certain activities—particularly dialogue with tutors and other students—as helpful in developing cross-cultural proficiencies.This study also investigated the relationship between language proficiency and cultural proficiency. Results were mixed. With a few exceptions, cultural proficiency did not predict a student’s language proficiency at the beginning of the course, during the course, or at the end of the course.
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Wu, Tsui-ping Cindy, and 胡翠萍. "English proficiency in Hong Kong." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2005. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B35757772.
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Beauprez, Nathalie. "Extramural English and English Proficiency : A Teacher’s Perspective on the Influence of Extramural English on the English proficiency of their Students." Thesis, Högskolan Dalarna, Institutionen för språk, litteratur och lärande, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:du-37804.
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The umbrella term used in research to imply exposure to the English language outside the classroom is “extramural English”. The impact of the engagement in activities by second language learners of English through extramural activities is generally perceived as positive for language development. The aim of this study is to investigate the perceptions of teachers in Swedish lower secondary school on the influence of online extramural English on the written and spoken English proficiency of students, enrolled in years six till nine, learning English as a foreign language.A qualitative study in the form of an online questionnaire, consisting of open- and closed-ended questions, is used to answer three research questions: 1. What is the overall perspective of English teachers on their students’ proficiency in English and the influence of extramural English? 2. What is the perspective of English teachers on their students’ proficiency in written English and the influence of extramural English? 3. What is the perspective of English teachers on their students’ proficiency in oral English and the influence of extramural English? Teachers clearly believe that oral communication and listening skills benefit more than reading and writing skills from online extramural activities in English.
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Blair, Leslie Alison. "Arabic/English bilingual proficiency in language minority students." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2000. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp03/MQ49558.pdf.
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Dooey, Patricia. "Issues of English language proficiency for international students." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2005. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/628.
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In the last 20 years or so, there has been a phenomenal increase in the number of international full-fee paying students applying to study in Australian universities, The revenue provided in this way has helped to address the problems faced by cash-starved universities facing recurring funding cuts over the same period. Furthermore, the presence of such students on any university campus provides immeasurable enrichment to the student body in terms of cultural diversity and research potential, and indeed it is very tempting in an ever,-increasing global market, to be as flexible as possible with prospective international students. However, the process of admission also demands careful consideration on the part of the various stakeholders involved. Although several factors need to be taken into account, the most obvious and certainly of primary importance would be the need to prove proficiency in the English language, Given that English is the dominant means of communication in the university, all students are required to draw from a complex web of linguistic resources to construct meaning and to complete the range of tasks required of them during their tertiary studies, This volume deals :with the overarching theme of issues of English language proficiency for overseas students studying in an Australian university. This focus can be viewed from many angles, and there are certainly many key facets involved, a selection of which is explored in the papers of the portfolio. These include the following broad areas: recruitment and admissions, language testing and technology, curriculum and inclusivity, English language support, academic conduct and finally the specific needs of international students, as viewed from their own perspective.
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Kuti, Laura. "Accommodations for English Language Learners with Disabilities on Federally Mandated English Language Proficiency Assessments." VCU Scholars Compass, 2011. http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/2541.
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The purpose of this research study was to conduct exploratory research to examine federally-mandated annual English language proficiency (ELP) assessment of English language learners (ELLs) and their use of accommodations on the assessment. First the researcher provides a review of the literature regarding accommodations provided for ELLs, students with disabilities on English assessments, and ELLs with disabilities on ELP assessments. The researcher examined the literature for differences and similarities between the three types of testing scenarios as well as identifying gaps in the literature for students who are both ELLs and who also have a disability and how their ELP is assessed, taking into account their disability. Based on the research presented in the review of the literature, the researcher provides the results from investigating data related to ELLs with disabilities and specific accommodations used by ELLs with disabilities to contribute to the limited current research available regarding this subgroup and to explore how the annual ELP assessment mandate is actuated at the state, district and classroom levels. The researcher used one state’s existing quantitative ELP assessment data to examine types of accommodations used for ELLs with disabilities on the statewide ELP assessment and then explored potential relationships between specific disabilities and accommodations used. The researcher investigated factors that contribute to the relationships between disabilities, accommodations, and performance on the ELP assessment through qualitative data from interviews with state, district, and school level personnel to further expand on results from the quantitative ELP assessment data.
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Ysquierdo, Rachelle. "The Effects of Computer-Assisted Language Learning on English Language Proficiency." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6157.
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The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 requires high standards, but academic achievement among English Language Learners (ELL) falls below that of their peers in Texas. These students' lower academic achievement may lead to their dropping out of high school, not going to college, or being underemployed, a problem that led to this study. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether computer-assisted language learning (CALL) helps ELLs improve their English language proficiency compared to traditional learning approaches. Levy's theoretical framework on the implementation of CALL guided this study. A nonequivalent, pretest-and-posttest design was used to examine mean differences in the increase in proficiency level from the beginning to the end of the year on the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) of ELLS in Grades 3-5 who participated in CALL and of those who did not participate. The sample consisted of 106 English language learners in Grades 3-5: 57 students in the treatment group and 49 in the comparison group. A one-way analysis of variance was conducted to compare language proficiency between the treatment and comparison groups. Results revealed no significant difference in the mean increase in proficiency levels of English language learners between the treatment and comparison groups. Additional analyses of TELPAS subdomains (reading, speaking, listening, and writing) indicated CALL was effective on reading only. Based on the findings, a project study on professional development was designed to focus on instructional strategies to support CALL. This project may lead to social change among administrators and teachers in the methods and strategies they use in the classroom to support CALL and as they work collaboratively to improve language proficiency among English language learners.
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Crew, Vernon. "English language proficiency and attitudes towards the English language of Hong Kong Chinese student teachers." Thesis, University of Essex, 1994. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.241202.
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Dunworth, Catherine Mary. "Tertiary entry level English language proficiency : a case study /." Full text available, 2001. http://adt.curtin.edu.au/theses/available/adt-WCU20030804.113909.
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Tatman, James J. "Culturally Responsive Leadership: Critical Pedagogy for English Language Proficiency." Youngstown State University / OhioLINK, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1616614308056987.
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Dunworth, Catherine M. "Tertiary entry level English language proficiency: a case study." Thesis, Curtin University, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/465.
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This study was initiated as a result of the appearance of a number of articles and commentaries in the academic press which intimate that the English language levels of many overseas students studying in Australia are not sufficient to meet the demands of their academic programs. A preliminary investigation into the standards set by one university revealed that there was no statement, policy or, public document describing an appropriate level of language use; and that the university concerned defined language proficiency entirely in terms of bands, scores or grades provided by external testing organisations.Commencing with the assumption that there is an entry level of English language competence, below which students have little chance of success in their studies (at least, within the accepted timeframe), this qualitative case study into one tertiary institution utilises a number of data collection strategies in order to develop a description or definition of a 'gatekeeper' level of English competence. It then compares the findings with the criteria for assessment and grading used by the two most widely available English language tests, TOEFL and IELTS.The first chapter introduces the background to the study. The second chapter outlines the underlying philosophical, social and linguistic framework within which the study was devised, in the context of the literature which informed it. The following chapter presents a justification for the selected research methods and data collection strategies. In the fourth and fifth chapters, the results demonstrate that interpretations of tertiary entry-level language proficiency vary, leading to confusion and an absence of strategic direction; it is further suggested that an appropriate level of language proficiency for tertiary entry cannot be defined without taking into account the prevailing social, political and educational environment. Recommendations are put forward for the development of an institutional-level framework in which it might be possible to make judgements about the desired levels of language proficiency and improve on existing procedures for their evaluation.This study aims to bring together a number of different strands of research into language and tertiary education such as definitions of language proficiency, language testing and literacy issues, and demonstrate their interconnectivity. As a result, it presents a broad overview (within the overarching discipline) rather than focusing on a single area in depth. Although as a site case study this research does not claim generalisability, it is hoped that- its findings might be useful for other institutions as a basis for their own research.
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Dunworth, Catherine M. "Tertiary entry level English language proficiency: a case study." Curtin University of Technology, Faculty of Education, 2001. http://espace.library.curtin.edu.au:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=13191.
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This study was initiated as a result of the appearance of a number of articles and commentaries in the academic press which intimate that the English language levels of many overseas students studying in Australia are not sufficient to meet the demands of their academic programs. A preliminary investigation into the standards set by one university revealed that there was no statement, policy or, public document describing an appropriate level of language use; and that the university concerned defined language proficiency entirely in terms of bands, scores or grades provided by external testing organisations.Commencing with the assumption that there is an entry level of English language competence, below which students have little chance of success in their studies (at least, within the accepted timeframe), this qualitative case study into one tertiary institution utilises a number of data collection strategies in order to develop a description or definition of a 'gatekeeper' level of English competence. It then compares the findings with the criteria for assessment and grading used by the two most widely available English language tests, TOEFL and IELTS.The first chapter introduces the background to the study. The second chapter outlines the underlying philosophical, social and linguistic framework within which the study was devised, in the context of the literature which informed it. The following chapter presents a justification for the selected research methods and data collection strategies. In the fourth and fifth chapters, the results demonstrate that interpretations of tertiary entry-level language proficiency vary, leading to confusion and an absence of strategic direction; it is further suggested that an appropriate level of language proficiency for tertiary entry cannot be defined without taking into account the prevailing social, political and educational ++environment. Recommendations are put forward for the development of an institutional-level framework in which it might be possible to make judgements about the desired levels of language proficiency and improve on existing procedures for their evaluation.This study aims to bring together a number of different strands of research into language and tertiary education such as definitions of language proficiency, language testing and literacy issues, and demonstrate their interconnectivity. As a result, it presents a broad overview (within the overarching discipline) rather than focusing on a single area in depth. Although as a site case study this research does not claim generalisability, it is hoped that- its findings might be useful for other institutions as a basis for their own research.
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Irving, Patricia M. "Business English proficiency and its related strategies in the Quebec context." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1998. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape11/PQDD_0004/MQ43887.pdf.
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Perea-Hernandez, Jose Luis. "Teacher Evaluation of Item Formats for an English Language Proficiency Assessment." PDXScholar, 2010. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/436.
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An abstract of the thesis of José Luis Perea-Hernández for the Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages presented February 11, 2010. Title: Teacher Evaluation of Item Formats for an English Language Proficiency Assessment. Language testing plays a significant role in the collection of systematic information about English Language Learners' ability and progress in K-12 public schools in Oregon. Therefore, the following thesis reports on a process of the development of this assessment as I was at some point one of the members in the test development team and then drew upon teachers' opinions and judgments to compensate for a gap in this process. For instance, despite the fact that Oregon item-writers produced test items in summer 2004, they identified some deficiencies as they followed the process. Therefore, the need of more examples of item formats in order to develop better items, a proper identification of materials for reading and listening and mainly the lack of detailed item test specifications was imminent. Unfortunately, item writers did not posses a guiding document that would allow them to generate items. The item writing process was not `spec-driven'. Hence, these drawbacks in this test (larger project), provide the basis and rationale for this thesis. Thus, the aim of the present study was to identify what item formats worked best based on professional teacher judgment. Then, once identified these were used to detect what items could potentially be reverse-engineered into specifications for future studies or developmental stages of this assessment. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis was to analyze through professional teacher-judgment the suitability of item formats, test items and the construct in a way that would be helpful for future item-writing sessions, but most importantly to the better understanding of teachers devising items for this test. Teachers determined what items and item formats were more suitable in a testing situation for the diverse English language learners according to their relationship to the construct of the test, practicality, cognitive level, appropriateness, and similar tasks as used in classroom instruction. Finally, the outcomes based on teacher feedback allowed the required data to establish a process to reverse-engineer test items and item formats into item test specifications. Thus, based on this feedback a more systematic process was illustrated to demonstrate how item formats can be the basis to reverse-engineer item test specifications.
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Hinrich, Sally Wellenbrock. "A contextualized grammar proficiency test using informal spoken English." PDXScholar, 1988. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/3816.
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Intensive college-level ESL programs typically focus on building students' academic skills in English. Yet many ESL students leave the intensive programs only to find that they cannot sufficiently comprehend conversations with native English-speaking classmates or understand freshman-level lectures. While the students frequently perceive the problem as relating to the rapid speech tempo used by native speakers, an integral part of the comprehension problem is the pervasive use of modified forms of English, commonly called reductions, contractions, and assimilations.
The present research investigates whether comprehension of certain modified forms of spoken informal English can be used to measure students' level of proficiency. The research, based on an integrative approach to learning, hypothesizes that successful identification of informal forms may be as reliable and valid as standardized tests currently used to measure students' proficiency in grammar and listening comprehension. The instrument for conducting the research is a contextualized taped dialogue presented as a cloze exercise which depends on redundancy features of English in addition to knowledge of grammatical structures to help the subject reconstruct missing grammatical elements of the dialogue. Research data were not statistically significant to support the original hypothesis because of small sample size, but some general conclusions can be drawn. Conclusions and recommendations are discussed with attention to current trends toward content-based classes.
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Wille, Jessica R. "Measuring the academic achievement and English language proficiency of students at the secondary level." Menomonie, WI : University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2006. http://www.uwstout.edu/lib/thesis/2006/2006willej.pdf.
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Mojica, Tammy Christina. "An Examination of English Language Proficiency and Achievement Test Outcomes." Diss., Temple University Libraries, 2013. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/244005.
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Educational LeadershipEd.D.
The purpose of the study was to compare the relationship between grade eight English language proficiency as measured by the ACCESS for ELL's assessment (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State to State for English Language Learners) and achievement test outcomes on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, a state mandated test. The ACCESS for ELLs is an annual, large-scale English language proficiency assessment given to kindergarten through grade twelve students who have been identified as English language learners. The ACCESS assessment is administered in English. Data from the Nation's Report Card (US. Department of National Center for Education Statistics, 2007 a & 2007 b) show that ELL students lag behind their English proficient peers on standardized tests of reading. The inclusion of English language learners in state assessments has prompted issues regarding the validity and equity of assessment practices (Abedi, 2004). The data for the study were gathered from an analyses of 8th grade ELL students' scores on the 2011 PSSA standardized assessment test administered in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania public school district. Data were also gathered from the analysis of 8th grade ELL assessments for the 2010-2011 school year. The study also assessed the predictive values of the criterion variables and the moderating effects of categorical variables by school: Ethnicity (Black, White, Hispanic), ELL status (English Language Learner), Students with Disabilities status (SWD), Socioeconomic status (SES), which contribute to Pennsylvania's Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status. The study showed strong evidence that there is a significant relationship between the PSSA and language background as measured by the ACCESS assessment. Assessment. The implications of these data for the testing and assessment of ELL learners was discussed.
Temple University--Theses
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Humphreys, Pamela. "English Language Proficiency in Higher Education: Student Conceptualisations and Outcomes." Thesis, Griffith University, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/367494.
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In recent years, the growing number of students with English as an Additional Language (EAL) in higher education around the world - and specifically in traditional English-speaking contexts - has led to a focus on their English language proficiency (ELP). Much of the scholarly literature on the topic has drawn on expert opinions rather than the views of students themselves. Students have been treated as ‘objects of study’ rather than as ‘subjects of study’ in their own right. Student conceptualisations of ELP, which lie at the core of this thesis, are examined and analysed with respect to key variables in order to investigate whether there is any systematic variability in them, and then compared with measurable graduating outcomes. The study also compares student views with policy discourse and the theorisation of ELP in order to ascertain the degree of convergence, and to consider implications for policy and practice. In this way, the study aims to provide empirical evidence to progress what is known about the construct of ELP in the higher education context.Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science
Arts, Education and Law
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Kwon, Jihyun. "Pragmatic transfer and proficiency in refusals of Korean EFL learners." Thesis, Boston University, 2003. https://hdl.handle.net/2144/34587.
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Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston UniversityPLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you.
This study investigated the occurrence of pragmatic transfer in the refusals of Korean EFL learners at three proficiency levels due to the cross-cultural differences in refusal patterns in Korean and English. Forty native speakers of Korean, 37 native speakers of English, 22 beginning, 43 intermediate, and 46 advanced Korean EFL learners participated in this study. Data were collected using a written discourse completion test taken from Takahashi and Beebe (1987) and Beebe et al. (1990), which elicited refusals of requests, invitations, offers, and suggestions :from interlocutors of different status (i.e., higher, equal, and lower status). The data were also categorized according to the refusal taxonomy of Takahashi and Beebe (1987) and Beebe et al. (1990), and were analyzed in terms ofthe :frequency and content of the semantic formulas used by the subjects. The learners' refusals were compared to those of native speakers ofKorean and English in order to examine the extent of pragmatic transfer from Korean to English. Evidence of pragmatic transfer was found in the refusals of learners at all three proficiency levels. Further, pragmatic transfer increased as learners' proficiency increased, supporting Takahashi and Beebe (1987)'s positive correlation hypothesis. Beginning level learners' refusals, due to a lack of target language knowledge, tended to be short and abrupt, deviating from both native and target language speakers' refusals. Intermediate level learners were able to express Korean norms of politeness in their target language refusals to a greater degree than were beginning level learners. Advanced level learners' refusals, however, resembled those of native speakers ofKorean to the greatest degree. They had sufficient linguistic means to transfer the forms as well as the tentative, figurative, and philosophical tone of their native language to the target language. In addition, advanced learners were at times more verbose than native speakers of Korean or English since they elaborated and mitigated their refusals by using the preferred semantic formulas of both their native and target languages. The implications of the findings for teaching and learning pragmatics in the EFL classroom were provided.
2031-01-01
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Katz, Laura. "EXPLORING DEMOGRAPHIC CORRELATES OF LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AMONG ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS." Diss., Temple University Libraries, 2012. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/170310.
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School PsychologyPh.D.
Contemporary research suggests that multiple criteria, including SES, ethnicity, first and second language proficiency levels, language dominance, immigrant and/or generational status, acculturation status, and educational placement history predict ELL student achievement levels (Abedi, 2008). However, the majority of states do not examine these factors and instead use a combination of the Home Language Survey (HLS) plus an English language proficiency test for screening and identification, though it is debated if these instruments adequately measure the type of language proficiency needed to be successful in mainstream classrooms (O'Malley & Pierce, 1994). Because of these findings, it seems that multiple criteria are important to examine when screening students for English Language Learner (ELL) placement. It is hypothesized that a more detailed classification system will better predict students' academic language abilities as part of a universal screening effort, and truly identify those at most need for specialized language support. The present study uses a correlational design to examine the relationship between a parent interview form, the Bilingual Parent Interview (BPI) and students' language proficiency scores in both their native and second languages, as well as their academic achievement. It was hypothesized that the multiple criteria assessed with the BPI would be more associated with language proficiency abilities and academic achievement than the HLS. English-Language Learners (ELLs; n= 42) in grades two through five were targeted for participation. Families were recruited from a public elementary school in a city in Southern California. Record reviews were conducted to collect parents' responses on the HLS and the BPI, as well as students' language proficiency scores on the California English Language Development Test (CELDT), the Language Assessment Scales Links Español, and the Preschool Language Assessment Scales 2000 Español 2000 (Pre-LAS 2000). In addition, students' academic achievement based upon the California STAR program was also collected. It was anticipated that items on the BPI would better correlate students' language abilities and academic achievement than those from the HLS. However, it was determined that the HLS better correlated with measures of English Language Proficiency and Spanish Language Proficiency, therefore providing initial support for the validity of this measure. Examination of the socio-cultural factors related to the language abilities and academic outcomes of at-risk ELL students expands upon efforts to identify students in need of remedial support as part of an early prevention model. In addition, the assessment of language proficiency and achievement data in both English and Spanish extends the effort to discriminate between endogenous learning disabilities and language delays resulting from second language acquisition amongst ELL children who struggle academically.
Temple University--Theses
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Youngquist, Sandra A. "The impact of electronic writing proficiency on student writing performance /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/7771.
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Peyper, T. J. (Tamrynne Jean). "A study of perceived classroom language proficiency of pre-service teachers." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/43222.
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In the South African context, it is currently assumed by most role players in
education that teacher graduates are proficient in the medium of instruction they will
use once they start their careers. This may be a reason why currently there is no
mandatory testing of teachers‟ language proficiency. Due to social, economic and
historical factors, English has become the medium of instruction at most educational
institutions in South Africa, yet less than 10% of the population speak English as a
home language. Consequently, an overwhelming number of learners are being
taught in a language other than their home language and often by teachers not
adequately prepared to teach through the medium of English. In the absence of
mandatory testing and with the complex language situation in South African
classrooms, this case study aimed to determine the perceptions held by pre-service
teachers and their mentors regarding their English proficiency at entry to the
teaching profession. This was done by answering the following research question:
What is the perceived Classroom English proficiency of final year pre-service
teachers prior to graduating?
The conceptual framework was grounded in Uys‟s (2006) model of Classroom
English proficiency and the methodology employed was quantitative in nature.
Instruments used to collect data included an observation schedule completed by
mentor teachers observing pre-service teachers presenting the fifth lesson of their
first internship period, and a questionnaire completed by the pre-service teacher
directly after the observed lesson. Both instruments were adapted from Elder‟s
Classroom Language Assessment Schedule (1993, 2001), and each included 42
items related to various language proficiency variables rated on a four-point Likert
scale.
Data were analysed using various statistical measures comparing groups and subgroups
within the sample. Key findings included a significant statistical difference
between how English Home Language (EHL) pre-service teachers perceived their
language proficiency and those who are English Additional Language (EAL) preservice
teachers. EHL pre-service teachers perceived their Classroom English
proficiency better than EAL pre-service teachers. The same trend was evident
among the perceptions of mentor teachers. Pedagogical language and voice skills emerged as areas in which additional support was required by EAL pre-service
teachers.
Further research avenues to explore relate to the feasibility of administering refined
instruments among teachers to determine not only what the perceptions would be on
a national level but also to assess their Classroom English proficiency, followed by
possible interventions.Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2014.
lk2014
Social Studies Education
MEd
Unrestricted
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Escondo, Timothy Francis Escondo. "Directional Influence of Acculturation and Language Proficiency." University of Toledo / OhioLINK, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo152545146327764.
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Christiansen, Yvonne. "Pragmatic ability and proficiency in Japanese learners of English." Thesis, McGill University, 2003. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=79753.
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This study investigated the relationship between pragmatic ability and proficiency in 16 Japanese learners of English. Two measures of pragmatic ability were developed: a multiple-choice questionnaire designed to probe pragmatic awareness of various speech acts and a set of oral role-plays designed to elicit two requests, two apologies and one refusal. These measures were also administered to eight native speakers in order to establish a scoring system for the pragmatic awareness test and target norms for the role-plays. A background questionnaire was given to all participants while a proficiency test, Combined English Language Skills Assessment in a Reading Context, or CELSA was administered only to the Japanese participants.The findings in this study demonstrated that there was not a strong relationship between proficiency and pragmatic ability, nor was there one between pragmatic awareness and production. The measures were moderately correlated but they also exhibited a great deal of variation from learner to learner.
Certain linguistic abilities were observed to be valuable regarding pragmatic ability, such as being able to make conventionally indirect requests. Learners were more direct in their speech acts than native speakers. They also used fewer and less varied strategies and lexical modification, with the exception of the politeness marker, please, which they over-used.
There was evidence both in terms of the pragmatic awareness measure and in the analysis of the production that over-directness decreased with increasing proficiency. The two assessment instruments produced different kinds of errors at different levels of proficiency, pointing to the possibility that they were tapping the abilities associated with pragmatic awareness and production at different stages of development.
This research has implications for both testing and teaching pragmatic ability.
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Stack, James Dennis. "The development of English academic language proficiency by language minority students learning English as a Second Language in school settings." Scholarly Commons, 1992. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/2841.
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The purpose of the study was to examine the growth of English academic language proficiency by language minority students who were learning English as a second language in an urban school setting. In light of Cummins' theory of language proficiency, the research investigated English development over a one year period in the areas of language most needed for academic success in school, reading and language. Growth in English academic language proficiency was examined across socioeconomic groups, language groups, years of instruction in the district, places of birth, and levels of oral language proficiency. The research sample included 4,663 students in two groups: a focus group of 2,460 students learning English as a second language in school, and a comparison group of 2,203 students from an English language background who had never received second language instruction. All the students were enrolled in grades 4 and 5 and had participated in districtwide standardized test administrations in Spring 1988 and Spring 1989. In addition to test results, information was collected pertaining to the following background characteristics: socioeconomic status, primary language background, length of time in the district, birthplace, and level of oral language proficiency. Statistical analysis with t-tests and Anovas indicated significant differences in CTBS Reading and Language gain scores favoring the second language learners compared to the national norm group and the non-second language learners. Although there was a narrowing of the achievement gap, it would take 5 to 7 years to close it at the observed rate. Among second language learners there were no differences in Reading and Language growth by socioeconomic status; all SES groups were narrowing the gap. There were differences in Reading and Language gains by years in the district; the students with fewer years were exhibiting the greater gains. In Reading growth there were no significant differences by language background, birthplace, or oral language proficiency; however, in Language growth there were differences. These differences were in the test area which is more dependent on formal schooling. It is recommended that emphasis be placed on reading and writing instruction and that students be given bilingual/ESL support for a longer period time.
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Parel, Rolande. "Lexical inferencing strategies of low proficiency second language learners." Thesis, Lancaster University, 1999. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.322816.
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Pung, Ah-ang. "The teaching of phonics and its relationship to proficiency in reading-related tasks in Hong Kong." Hong Kong : University of Hong Kong, 2001. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk:8888/cgi-bin/hkuto%5Ftoc%5Fpdf?B23424436.
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Lindo, Myriam. "Differences in English Language Proficiency Growth: A Possible Indicator of Giftedness for English Learners." Scholar Commons, 2018. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/7330.
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The disproportionality of culturally and linguistically diverse learners in exceptional education is an ongoing issue (Bernal, 2002; Ford, 2012). One of these special populations is that of English learners (ELs), who are overrepresented in special education programs and underrepresented in gifted and talented programs (Ford, 2012).The extant literature suggests that a rapid rate of growth in English language proficiency (ELP) may be one of the characteristics used to indicate giftedness in English learners (Brulles, Castellano, & Laing, 2011; Harris, Plucker, Rapp, & Martinez, 2009). However, no studies have analyzed English Language proficiency (ELP) growth trajectories of gifted ELs. This study explored the growth in English language proficiency of 4,558 ELs, of which 118 were identified as gifted. Scores from the Comprehensive English Language Learning Assessment (CELLA), were used to determine their typical English language proficiency growth trajectories of ELs. This was done using latent growth curve modeling. The growth trajectories were then analyzed to determine if differences existed in the trajectories of ELs identified as gifted. The findings were that differences did exist in the English language proficiency growth of ELs identified as gifted, particularly in the areas of listening/speaking and writing, where gifted ELs seem to grow at a more rapid rate than their non-identified peers.
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Che, Lah Salasiah. "Language attitudes towards English and language proficiency in English among Malaysian students : a sociolinguistic study of Penang Island." Thesis, University of Reading, 1996. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.319259.
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Picpican-Bell, Anne. "Developing oral proficiency through poem recitation in elementary English as a second language." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2005. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/2932.
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Cundick, Denisa Krizanova. "The Relationship Between Reported Out-of-Class English Use and Proficiency Gains in English." Diss., CLICK HERE for online access, 2007. http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/ETD/image/etd2125.pdf.
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Duran, Grace Zamora. "Language of instruction, reading achievement, and language proficiency for learning-disabled and non-learning-disabled Hispanic limited English proficient students." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/185555.
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Minority children have consistently received less than an equitable education compared to children of non-minority backgrounds. Inequitable treatment has been evidenced by the disproportionate number of minority children in special education programs. The overrepresentation of minorities has been documented primarily in mentally retarded and learning disabilities (LD) programs. Hispanics (Spanish speakers), in particular, have been among these minorities. The projected increase of Hispanics in the population over the next ten years compounds the problem of overrepresentation. Contributing factors to the overrepresentation of Hispanic students have been attributed to linguistic, cultural, economic or other background characteristics that were misinterpreted as deviant or, more specifically, represented as LD. Studies have superficially investigated the characteristics of Hispanic LD students; especially the educational experiences of LD limited-English proficient (LEP) subjects. The purposes of this study were twofold: (a) to conduct a comparative study of LD LEP and nonLD LEP subjects with regard to the consistency for language of instruction in reading, reading achievement, English and Spanish proficiencies upon school entry, and current language proficiencies and (b) to conduct case studies on selected subjects from the two groups to investigate their language use and quality of language during observed reading lessons. This study used group and multiple case study designs to answer the questions posited in the study. Thirty LEP LD and 30 LEP nonLD 9 through 12 year old subjects were selected. Of the 60 subjects, two LD and two nonLD subjects were selected for case studies based on the consistency for language of instruction in reading. Data were gathered from three data sources: (a) students' cumulative and special education files, (b) classroom observations of subjects' language use during two teacher-planned reading lessons, and (c) interviews with teachers. The file search included all 60 subjects, and the classroom observations and interviews were conducted for the case studies. The results of the large group study indicated that differences in reading achievement existed between LD and nonLD LEP groups. Relationships among consistency for language of instruction, current language proficiencies, and reading achievement were minimal. The findings for the case studies, however, indicated that language performance was qualitatively different for subjects who had received inconsistent language of instruction and subjects who had received consistent language of instruction. Pedagogical and research implications are provided.
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Newman-Brown, Niki Tiara. "Increasing Black Student Literacy Proficiency Using English Language Learner Instructional Strategies." ScholarWorks, 2016. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/2037.
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Historically, identifying solutions to the achievement gap between Black and White students has plagued education. Twenty-first century challenges have emerged to include an achievement gap between Black and Hispanic students in literacy as early as 4th grade. Limited research exists on the use of English language learner (ELL) instructional strategies with Black standard English learners (SELs). This project study narrows the gap in previous research. The goal was to use a collective case study approach to investigate the professional development needs of the Northeast School District through the perspective of 5 Title I, ELL, kindergarten through sixth-grade elementary school principals. Social constructivism guided the theoretical framework. The research questions focused on principals' perceptions of the effect of ELL strategies on Hispanic ELL literacy rates and the benefits of systemic professional development on using ELL strategies for Black SELs. Data were collected from the principals through a focus group discussion and 5 semi-structured interviews. The data were then transcribed and coded to establish themes, based on the participants' perceptions. The major themes centered on the need for teachers to understand and incorporate their student culture in lessons through cultural proficiency; the instructional benefits for Black SELs in ELL classrooms; and the importance of consistent, applicable, systemic professional development. School districts may use these findings results to make decisions on systemic professional development for elementary school administrators and teachers, with positive results for Black SEL proficiency in literacy.
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Chung, Hyun-sook. "Interrelationships among prior knowledge, prior beliefs, and language proficiency in second language listening comprehension /." Digital version accessible at:, 1999. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/utexas/main.
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Kanda, Makiko. "DEVELOPMENT OF ENGLISH ORAL PROFICIENCY AMONG JAPANESE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS." Diss., Temple University Libraries, 2015. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/355716.
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Language ArtsEd.D.
This study is a longitudinal study that investigated the development of English oral proficiency—complexity, accuracy, and fluency—under the pre-task and on-line planning conditions with task repetition among Japanese high school students. This study is unique because it is longitudinal and includes qualitative data. The participants were 15 Japanese high school students whose English proficiency level is categorized as low proficiency. Narrative tasks, post-task questionnaires, journals, and interviews were used in this study. In the narrative tasks, they were asked to describe a four-picture story three times with two minutes planning time, when they were allowed to listen to an ALT (assistant language teacher) tell the story and take notes. They completed a post-task questionnaire and a journal after completing the task. Interviews were conducted two times to further investigate their questionnaire responses and what they wrote in their journal entries. The results showed that low proficiency learners increased oral fluency, syntactic complexity, lexical complexity, and syntactic accuracy through repeating the same task within a single session, and syntactic complexity and lexical complexity through repeating the same type of task during the academic year. The aural input between the first, second, and third performance can lead them to draw their attention to form-meaning connections, resulting in increased oral performance. In addition, low and intermediate beginners benefited in increasing oral fluency, syntactic complexity, and syntactic accuracy, while high beginners benefited in improving oral fluency and lexical complexity under pre-task and on-line planning conditions with repetition during the academic year. The study suggests that the combined use of pre-task planning, on-line planning, and task repetition have a cumulative effect and can facilitate the development of oral fluency, syntactic complexity, lexical complexity, and syntactic accuracy for low proficiency high school learns of English. If learners are given the opportunity to plan before and during task performance with repetition, and to make the condition that draws their attention to both form and meaning, it is the most effective strategy to improve oral fluency, syntactic complexity, lexical complexity, and syntactic accuracy in task-based teaching in the classrooms.
Temple University--Theses
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Herraiz, Martínez Ana. "Functional adequacy: The effect of Englsih Medium Instruction, English Proficiency and previous language learning experiences." Doctoral thesis, Universitat Jaume I, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/664863.
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This thesis analyses undergraduate learners' pragmatic development. The participants of the study were
enrolled in English-medium instruction atlhree different Spanish universities. Pragmatic development is
operationalised as "functional adequacy" (FA), which is a recent construct developed by Kuiken and
Vedder (2016) to approach pragmatic competence. Moreover, the effect of English proficiency and
previous language learning experiences on learners' FA is explored. Quantitative and qualitative results
are taken ¡nto consideration in order to observe and further understand what happens in the EMI
contexts under analysis.Esta tesis doctoral analiza el desarrollo pragmático de estudiantes universitarios matriculados en contextos de instrucción en inglés (English-medium instruction). La competencia pragmática escrita se enmarca en la vertiente de "adecuación funcional" propuesta por los investigadores Kuiken y Vedder (2016). Por otra parte, también se analiza el efecto que tiene el nivel de inglés y las estancias con fines educativos realizadas previamente en el grado de "adecuación" de los textos escritos. Los resultados se analizan de manera cuantitativa y cualitativa para tener una perspectiva más amplia de lo que sucede en las aulas EMI de nuestras universidades.
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Lai, Yajuan. "The problem of low proficiency in English as a foreign language in urban middle schools in China." Pretoria : [s.n.], 2009. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-03162010-103230.
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Jeong, Tae-Young. "Assessing and interpreting students' English oral proficiency using d-VOCI in an EFL context." Columbus, OH : Ohio State University, 2003. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1045462461.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2003.Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xii, 151 pages : ill. (some col.) Includes abstract and vita. Advisor: Charles R. Hancock, College of Education. Includes bibliographical references (p. 115-125).
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Chen, Selma Shu-Mei. "The effects of L1 word order and English proficiency on non-English speakers' sentence processing." Virtual Press, 1989. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/720150.
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This study is a partial replication of Davison & Lutz's (1984) experiment. It was designed to test if L1 word order and English proficiency are involved in non-native speakers' sentence processing. This study concentrates on the roles of syntax and pragmatics/semantics in sentence processing. By comparing two corresponding syntactic structures with similar meanings but different forms in context, we can detect the different degrees of the salient property of a certain NP. The perception of the salient NP is related to the definition of the sentence topic, which functions as the link between the sentence and the discourse. The salient NP can be identified by applying our linguistic knowledge, syntactic rules, and our real world knowledge, pragmatic principles,. The choice of syntactic structure is conditioned heavily by pragmatic principles. It is believed that response times correspond to the degrees of salience.Sixty international students participated in the experiment. Stimulus sentences were presented with a computer program and response times were recorded in seconds by the computer automatically. A cloze test was given for the measuring of English proficiency.The data collected were analyzed with SPSS-X. The MANOVA was carried out to compare the differences between VO/OV language types, target sentences (transformed and untransformed ones), five types of syntactic constructions, and the interactions ofword order by target sentences, target sentences by syntactic constructions, and L1 word order by target sentences by syntactic constructions. The response times for English proficiency were used as a post hoc variable. Significance was set at .05.The results revealed that there was a significant difference across five syntactic constructions (p < .05). The other tests were not significant. Two important limitations on this study are problems arising out of randomization parameters in the experiment, and the lack of lower level English proficiency subjects.Department of English
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Svensson, Maria. "Extramural Gaming and English Language Proficiency : The potential benefits of extramural gaming as a tool for learning English." Thesis, Högskolan Dalarna, Engelska, 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:du-27450.
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Today the majority of children and teenagers in many countries spend a great deal of time doing extramural English activities, where playing games is included. It is therefore important to study how extramural English activities affect students’ proficiency. This thesis aims to investigate how games as an extramural activity, and extramural English activities in general could benefit upper secondary EFL and ESL students’ English language proficiency. The method used was that of a systematic literature review where six studies from varying places and with participants of varying ages and levels of education were analyzed and compared. The results show that five of the articles found a positive correlation between time spent on extramural English activities and English grades and/or vocabulary, while on study showed that there was no correlation between time spent on extramural English activities and development of academic vocabulary in students who had already reached a high level of proficiency. More research is needed in the field, particularly studies establishing causation rather than just correlation, longitudinal studies, as well as studies investigating whether gender is an important factor affecting the potential benefits of extramural English activities.
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Österljung, Patrik. "Developing English language online : A study of ten Swedish adolescents' Internet habits and language proficiency." Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för språk och litteratur, SOL, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-20193.
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Abstract This study aimed at investigating some of the possible effects of the computer on adolescents’ language development. As a base for the study Sundqvist’s (2009) study on extramural English (EE) was used. The work of David Crystal provided a substantial background on the English language, which was complemented by the work of Halliday among others. In the study ten national writing tests were examined and analyzed, and a small survey of the ten students’ Internet habits was performed. The mistakes and errors made by the students in the tests were compared to their value of exposure to Internet English (EIE) in order to establish possible links between their Internet habits and their writing mistakes. The study found that the five boys that took part spent more time online and engaging in activities where English was used than the girls of the study. It was also found that the students who spend the most time online made substantially more errors and mistakes regarding the apostrophe, mainly in contractions. It was also found that the students who spent little time online and had a low value of EIE were more likely to make mistakes and errors regarding verbs and agreement. Although the study was too limited for any generalizations to be made, it hinted at some possible links between Internet habits of adolescents and their performance on the national test and their general language proficiency.
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Lalonde, Christine. "Language learning strategies and their relationship to achievement gains on two English language proficiency measures." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1998. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp04/mq26228.pdf.
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Withycombe, Adam. "An Exploration of the Role of English Language Proficiency in Academic Achievement." Thesis, University of Oregon, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/1794/18726.
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The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between English language proficiency scores as measured by the ACCESS for ELLs and achievement and growth scores on the reading subtest of the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP). The sample consisted of 2,006 3rd-5th grade English language learners (ELLs) from a large Midwestern school district. Results confirmed that an increase in English proficiency is associated with higher reading achievement scores. The unique variance explained by each of the domain scores (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) on the ACCESS for ELLs supports the use of a weighted composite score for decision making purposes. When considering within-year MAP growth by differing levels of proficiency, a curvilinear trend emerged. The two lowest proficiency groups demonstrated significantly lower reading growth than the two moderate and two highest proficiency groups. The greatest growth was seen by the two groups in the middle of the proficiency spectrum. Given the increased demands on measuring the achievement and progress of all students, including ELLs, and the use of standardized achievement scores for program and teacher evaluation, the results of this study suggest that a dichotomous classification of ELL/non-ELL might not accurately reflect the variability in growth at various levels of English proficiency. Implications for interpreting and using scores by ELLs are discussed.
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Kattan, Jeanne. "The construction and validation of an EAP test for second year English and nursing majors at Bethlehem University." Thesis, Lancaster University, 1990. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.304859.
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Leighton, Christine M. "The cognitive processes of 6th-grade students of varying Spanish and English proficiencies while writing persuasive letters." Thesis, Boston University, 2011. https://hdl.handle.net/2144/31979.
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Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston UniversityPLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you.
This qualitative study explores the cognitive processes of 10 6th-grade students of varying Spanish and English proficiencies while writing persuasive letters in both languages. The participants who were purposefully selected included: three high Spanish/high English proficient students (high performers), three high English/low Spanish proficient students (high/low performers), two low Spanish/low English proficient students (low performers), and two monolingual English speakers. The following research question was posed: How do sixth-grade students of varying Spanish and English proficiencies engage in the writing process while composing persuasive letters in both languages? In particular, (a) How do students engage in the cognitive processes of writing in L1 and L2, and do the processes vary by language and/or ability? (b) Are there patterns across participants' writing behaviors in L1 and L2 that indicate cross-linguistic transfer? If so, do the patterns vary by language or writing proficiency? (c) Do bilingual students differ from monolinguals in their use of strategies and resources? The researcher audio-taped and video-taped participants thinking aloud as they responded to persuasive letter prompts in both Spanish and English (monolinguals responded to two English prompts). Recall protocols and student interviews were also collected. All data were transcribed. Data were analyzed in three phrases. First, think aloud sessions were coded for three general writing processes: composing, reading, and selecting. Second, recall protocols were coded for specific behaviors within each general process (e.g. attending to text generation, reading the text produced, considering or changing an idea). Finally, interviews and recall protocols were analyzed for student strategy, bilingual strategy, and resource use as well as general strategy and bilingual strategy awareness. Findings suggest: (1) The writing process did not vary for bilingual and monolingual writers across languages; (2) Low performers focused attention almost exclusively on idea generation without attention to topical importance; (3) For high/low performers' knowledge of discourse features in L1 appeared to mediate writing in the weaker language; (4) Topically important ideas articulated in L1 during the selection process were abandoned if students did not have the vocabulary to express the idea in L2; (5) High performers seemed to intentionally separate their language resources while writing.
2031-01-02
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Tang, Ting 1982. "Investigating NNS English teachers' self-assessed language proficiency in an EFL context." Thesis, McGill University, 2007. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=99610.
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The vast majority of secondary school English teachers in China are non-native English speakers (NNS). These teachers might not have adequate language proficiency to promote a communicative language environment for students. This has raised an ongoing discussion concerning the growing need to foster NNS teachers' communicative language proficiency, which has been identified as one of the most important qualifications for successful ESL/EFL (English as a Second Language/English as a Foreign Language) teachers (Murdoch, 1994; Kamhi-Stein & Lee, 1999; Nunan, 2003). In this study, 53 secondary NNS teachers from Chinese secondary schools were asked to self-assess their English proficiency as well as to specify the minimum level of proficiency that they felt was needed to teach English effectively at the secondary school level in seven skill domains (listening comprehension, speaking ability, reading comprehension, writing ability, pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar). Paired sample t tests revealed that statistically significant differences were identified in six of the seven skill domains. Teachers perceived substantial gaps between their English proficiency and the minimum level needed to teach effectively. Teachers' perceptions about the relationship between their language proficiency and their teaching expertise were also explored through face-to-face interviews. The findings provide valuable information and have implications for language teachers in EFL contexts as well as for teacher educators.